Less than one in 10 individuals that would benefit from obesity jabs such as Wegovy have access to them, caution the World Health Organization as it releases its inaugural guidance on the medications.
With more than one billion people worldwide now living with obesity, it is calling for broader and more equitable access to these injectable treatments.
According to estimates, more than two billion could be obese by 2030 if no action is taken.
"Our latest guidance acknowledges that obesity is a lifelong illness that can be addressed with comprehensive and ongoing care," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Substantial prices, insufficient output, and logistical bottlenecks are significant barriers to widespread availability to the treatments that can assist patients in reducing substantial weight, says the agency.
Weight-Loss Drug Supply Crisis
Despite the current best projected outlook, the supply of such drugs might only reach approximately 100 million people – fewer than 10% of those who need them, as stated by the WHO.
The recommendation calls on countries and companies to increase access, through measures like voluntary licensing.
Exclusive production rights on semaglutide – the core ingredient of the drug Wegovy – is due to expire in multiple nations in 2026.
How Weight-Loss Drugs Function
The injections mimick a biological compound to delay gastric emptying, reduce hunger and enhance the sense of being full so individuals reduce food intake.
Patients typically start to lose weight in the initial weeks of beginning the once-weekly jabs.
Research indicates people may regain a significant portion within a year of halting the treatment, because their normal food cravings resume.
Being above a healthy weight elevates your likelihood for developing diseases, like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, stroke, and certain malignancies.
Excess weight affects people in all nations and was linked to over three and a half million fatalities worldwide in 2024, per the health agency.
